Q3131 popped out a primer

[SoDak]

I was shooting yesterday and on the last round of the day I had the primer pop out of the case. The ammo in question is winchester Q3131 with an 07 headstamp(also has a NATO headstamp if it matters). The gun I was using when it happened was a 20" gov't profile upper from Bushmaster. I had just oiled the gun about ten rounds or so before the popped primer and I probably over oil stuff so it may be possible too much oil got in the chamber. I also shot the same ammo out of a surplus M16A1 upper (which has a brand new mil. A1 pencil barrel) without issue. Is this a case of a bad round, a bad chamber, or me over oiling? I don't know if this is a big deal, but I thought I better get to the bottom of this.

[Heavy Metal]

Shoot more and report back. One incident is not enough to analyze a trend.

[SoDak]

Gotcha. It's been my practice ammo so I'll try to shoot some more at some point in the near future.

[Shotdown]

My friend was having the same issues with the same type of ammo. Primers were popping out of almost every single shell.

[m4fun]

Yep - smells like a trend is happening. Might be a QC issues.

[PlatoCATM]

Check to make sure the chamber is 5.56 not .223. A .223 chamber could be the real issue, not the ammo.

[Ttwwaack]

Wincheter USA used to have 2 loads listed as Q 3131 and (Q3131 A or -1 I believe). The difference was 3131 was standard pressure and 3131 A was loaded to 5.56 NATO pressue. Some boxes I've seen were marked as 5.56 while the standard was 223.

I justed checked there online catalog and it only lists

Q3131 556 muzzle velocity 3270 55 gr

223R1 223 Rem muzzle velocity 3240 55 gr

223R3 223 Rem, muzzle velocity 3100 62 gr

If you are having primers pop out shooting Q3131 marked 5.56, check your chamber to insure it is a 5.56 chamber and not 223 Rem which Bushmaster is famous for. Another way is to shoot the bushmaster accross a chrono and see what it is giving you and compare against a likewise Colt A2. The Bushmaster is proably pushing 3350 or better.

Ned Christianson Had a simular observation which led to his chamber reamer and 5.56/223 chamber guages.

[5pins]

Both Q3131 and Q3131A are 5.56 loads. The difference is that Q3131A is made in Israel.

[Ttwwaack]

I was reading an article concerning thr Winchester USA Q 3131 and the point of the article was that if you were using the 'A' load to insure that you had a 5.56 chamber and not a regular 223 Rem because it was loaded to 5.56 presures.

Since going to Winchesters site this afternoon, I see that they have changed the number on the standard loading to help clarify it.

I wasn't aware that the 3131A was loaded in Israel. You learn something new every day.

[tpd223]

My information is that it's fairly common for this ammo to pop primers.